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Cumbrian 'pillar of community' turned drug courier could face jail

A man who became a drug courier in a desperate attempt to make some money after his business failed has been warned he will probably go to prison.

Anthony Burrough, 44, of Little Broughton, near Cockermouth, had never been in trouble before and was considered to be a pillar of his local community until the day in November last year when police stopped him in his car on the M6 near Kendal.

Carlisle Crown Court heard that when officers searched his car they found about two kilos of cannabis in a bag in the boot.

Burrough pleaded guilty to possessing the drug with intent to supply it, but only on the basis that he was acting as a courier and would not have been actively involved in selling it.

But prosecutor Alan Lovett told the court that, considering that the cannabis was worth about £13,000, the Crown considered Burrough had “played a significant role” even on the limited basis he had put forward.

Defence advocate Chris Evans said Burrough had agreed to carry the drugs because his business was failing.

“He had been asked numerous times before, and had always refused, but on this occasion he agreed,” he said.

Judge Peter Hughes QC adjourned the case for pre-sentence reports but warned Burrough he would almost certainly go to prison. “It has to be clearly understood that the use of people with no criminal convictions as drug couriers does not mean they will get off lightly.”

He told Burrough: “I make it plain to you that this is a serious matter. There are guidelines laid down by the Sentencing Council which judges have to follow, and you have got to anticipate that the likely sentence is one of immediate imprisonment.”

Burrough was bailed and will be sentenced on May 11.

Judge Hughes said he would want to know why “a man of mature years, who is before a court for the first time” had become involved in supplying drugs.